Marc Middleton and his Growing Bolder media company have a winning new formula to overhaul pledge contests on public television. On Thursday, they collected $75,000 from American Public Television to prove it.

Orlando-based Growing Bolder was the victor in the first APT PitchFest Live! — a national competition in Baltimore. APT is the leading syndicator to U.S. public television stations.

Middleton, a former anchor at WESH-Channel 2, will host the program. He plans to start shooting in January, and he hopes to have the show ready in summer 2019.

The 90-minute pledge program is called “Launchpad to What’s Next” and extends Growing Bolder’s focus on serving the 50+ audience. The program addresses those viewers’ fears, answers their questions and seeks to inspire.

“It’s a motivational seminar, a TED Talk and an educational summit all rolled into one,” Middleton said.

He shared the proposed segments (or “modules”) and what they mean. A few examples: “What The Mind Believes The Body Embraces” examines “why we are aged less by our years and more by our belief systems.”

“Live Long. Die Short” explains that “it’s not how long we live but how long we’re sick before we die.”

“The Art of Caregiving” notes that “nearly 50 million Americans provide care to an adult family member” and describes how “the emotional, physical, mental and financial strain can be destructive.”

As host, Middleton said he will introduce experts and get out of their way. The show will have an online educational aspect with workbooks.

Pictures of current and former WESH 2 News anchors.

“As for funding, the prize money is a great start,” Middleton said. “We’re building a ‘Launchpad to What’s Next’ website, and when someone pledges, they will be given immediate access where they can not only watch all of the modules again they can immediately download worksheets, questionnaires, quizzes and more to personalize the information in the show.”

Growing Bolder also is looking for underwriting sponsors for the various segments.

In pitching the show, Middleton said any pledge program designed exclusively for broadcast TV was an outdated idea. His program, with its various segments, could be played across all digital platforms and allow stations to run pledge campaigns 24/7 on mobile devices, websites and even social media channels.

The “Growing Bolder” TV show continues to do well. Season four has aired on 386 channels in 166 markets over the past 10 months, Middleton said. It’s in 92 percent of the Top 25 TV markets.

Photographed Thursday, December 27, 2018, a last look at ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth' special Christmas-themed finale, which will makes its last-ever holiday appearance on Sunday, December 30. The IllumiNations fireworks show is being replaced in the summer of 2019. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Photographed Thursday, December 27, 2018, a last look at ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth' special Christmas-themed finale, which will makes its last-ever holiday appearance on Sunday, December 30. The IllumiNations fireworks show is being replaced in the summer of 2019. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

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Photographed Thursday, December 27, 2018, a last look at ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth' special Christmas-themed finale, which will makes its last-ever holiday appearance on Sunday, December 30. The IllumiNations fireworks show is being replaced in the summer of 2019. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Photographed Thursday, December 27, 2018, a last look at ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth' special Christmas-themed finale, which will makes its last-ever holiday appearance on Sunday, December 30. The IllumiNations fireworks show is being replaced in the summer of 2019. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)